Humans are funny things, or maybe it is just this generation, but it seems to me that we are totally outcomes-based. We tend to focus entirely on the final results without considering the process. I see it all the time in my line of work, particularly with people who undergo elective or plastic surgery. They tend to research the operation and the surgeon, and check out the hospital carefully. They scope out thebefore and after photos. People (and of course I include myself) tend to worry about going under the knife and often get quite anxious about it. There is a misconception that the worst is over when the surgery is done. I understand that the risks obviously decrease once the anaesthetist wakes you up, but the challenges often only start after in the recovery phase of the surgery.
As we are seeing more and more plastic surgery patients, I thought that this week, we can chat about common questions that should be asked around your recovery after plastic surgery.
- How long does recovery take after plastic surgery?
Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery. Usually initial recovery can take 1-2 weeks, with complete healing possibly taking many months. Your surgeon will provide a more specific timeline based on your procedure. We find that the average time frame is around 10 to 14 days.
- How severe is the pain and will I be able to manage it?
Often people think because the surgery is elective it is not sore. I want to be honest here, judging by what we see, many types of plastic surgery patients are in huge amounts of pain. Pain management is crucial for recovery, and surgeons will prescribe pain medication to help manage discomfort. If pain does not settle we are always able to contact the appropriate medical professionals and get additional or alternative meds. Applying cold compresses and resting helps a lot, and our team is used to assisting patients to do just this.
- When can I start exercising again and taking up my usual activities?
Light exercise, such as walking, can usually be resumed within a few days, and in fact it is encouraged. However, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks, or as advised by your surgeon. Returning to work depends on the nature of your job and your specific surgery. We find that many mothers find staying with us beneficial as they don’t have to pick up toddlers or babies.
- How should I care for my wounds?
The surgeons with whom we work usually have their own wound-care nurses, and wounds are watched carefully to avoid infection. The standard health tip is to keep your incisions clean and dry, and follow the doctor’s recommendations. Our team will assist during bathtime to make sure wounds do not get wet and to see if we see any signs of infection like redness, swelling, or unusual discharge, and we will alert your medical team immediately.
- What should I eat during my recovery?
A balanced diet, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals will support healing. We find that often straight after discharge, patients lose their appetite. Once their appetite returns, we encourage a fibre-rich diet as most patients struggle with constipation after surgery. We also suggest that you stay hydrated and avoid foods high in salt, sugar, and fat. Depending on your surgery, your doctor may have specific dietary recommendations.
- How can I reduce swelling and bruising?
Swelling and bruising are very common after aesthetic surgery. Keep your head elevated, use cold compresses, and avoid excessive physical activity. Your surgeon may also recommend wearing compression garments to reduce swelling. These garments, especially the sculpting shapewear many patients wear after certain procedures, are painful to put on and take off. Having extra hands to help you with this is a huge relief, I’m told.
- When should I be concerned about my recovery?
We suggest that we contact your surgeon if you experience severe pain which is not relieved by medication, if you have excessive swelling, redness, or heat at the incision site, a fever, or any other unusual symptoms like very low blood pressure or a blockage in your drain.
- Can I take my chronic medications after surgery?
Always talk to your doctor and alert him of your regular meds, supplements, herbal products. Often your doctor will pause some of these, especially medications like blood thinners.
- Why will I be discharged with drains?
After certain plastic surgeries, your doctor will discharge you with a number of drains. This is because often after an invasive surgery, fluid may collect inside your body in the recently operated area. This makes an infection or other problems more likely, and therefore a surgical drain is inserted to allow the fluid to flow out. The medical team puts a thin, flexible rubber tube into the area of your body where the fluid is likely to collect. We assist you with emptying the drains and communicate the drainage to your specific medical team.
- What should I avoid after my surgery?
Avoid smoking, stress, alcohol, and certain medications that can interfere with healing. Strenuous activities, direct sunlight on the incision, and soaking in water should also be avoided until your surgeon advises otherwise.
- How will I know if my surgery was successful?
This is very difficult to answer. Success will depend on whether your aesthetic goals were achieved but also if there were no complications during or after surgery. It is important to attend follow-up appointments, pay attention to nutrition and not rush to see results. Sometimes results may take time to fully manifest as swelling and bruising do not subside overnight.